RocketPropelled

Washington Lawmakers and generals agree it is time to stop launching U.S. national security spacecraft with Russia’s RD-180 rocket engine, but after that U.S. military space-launch policy is a free-for-all. With the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) progrqm on its last legs, four companies are at work on whatever may come next.

By Frank Morring,Guy Norris

5455

SPACE PROPULSION

ACES High

Washington Los Angeles Main-stage hydrocarbon engines are drawing the most attention and money as the U.S. Air Force and Congress look for a way to shift national security launches off the Russian-built RD-180, but a separate engine competition is underway at the other end of the rockets.

By Frank Morring,Guy Norris

3637

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Second Wind

Auckland Frankfurt San Francisco Washington While airlines may not like to admit it, low fuel prices are having a noticeable influence on many of their fleet strategies. A traditional refrain of carriers is that fleet planning is aimed at the long term, so fluctuations in oil prices should not affect such decisions.

By Adrian Schofield,Jens Flottau,Brian Sumers

DTI10DTI11

DEFENSE ANALYSIS

Super Material

New York The next “wonder material” that could bring major benefits to the aerospace and defense industry is graphene. Work is underway at universities and research institutes to fine-tune the composition and processability of the material, derived from graphite, for diverse end-uses.

By Pat Toensmeier

DTI6DTI7

Defense Technology INTERNATIONAL

Heads Up

Tel Aviv Tests by Iran last month of longrange ballistic missiles, reportedly with the capability of carrying nuclear warheads, underscore the need for potent missile-defense systems among Tehran’s regional neighbors. Missile defense is all the more urgent since Iran now is emphasizing the considerable efforts it has made to hide missiles in mountains—the recent tests took place in the Alborz range—and to move military research and manufacturing sites underground.